Filmed coal and composition of matter for producing same



Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNITED sra'res PATENT QFFICE KENNETH B. STUART, 0F PUEBLO, CfiLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO THE-COIDRADO FUEL AND IRON COMPANY, OF DENVER, COLORADO FILMED COAL AN D COMPOSITION OF MATTER FOR PRODUCING SAME No Drawing.

This invention relates to composition of matter, for filming coal and to the filmed coal, as a new article of manufacture.

It is a well known fact that coal during transit and storage in yards, undergoes both physical and chemical changes, principally due to the absorption of oxygen from the air, commonly known as weathering.

Among the detrimental effects of weathering are, a change in the coal size due to weakening of cleavages (the primary cause of ex cessive dust) loss of heating value; deterioration of burning quality and excessive absorption of moisture.

-All of the above deteriorative effects of weathering on the coal are eliminated, by the use of the present invention which, briefly, consists in surrounding the freshly mined coal with a preserving film which is impervious to both air and Water. The film after application must be impervious to air. and water in order to eliminate the causes of weathering and thereby prevent the deteriorative 'eflects stated hereinbefore.

Inasmuch as the preserving film excludes the air from contact with the coal, cleavage fracture due to weathering is prevented, and the formation ofdust is practically impossible. The loss of heating value due to oxidation of the coal is prevented at the same time and the coal reaches the ultimate consumer with its heating value unimpaired. In fact the reduction of breakage and the prevention of oxygen absorption tends to increase the burning quality of the coaland the film itself adds to the heating value of ,the coal as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Furthermore, the preserving film 'being impervious to water, prevents the absorption of moisture to an injurious extent, which obviously is of advantage in the storage, transit and ultimate use of the coal.

The film may be appliedto the coal in any suitable manner, such as by passing the coal through a bath of the filming preparation in liquid form. It is essential that the filming preparation shall have all the preservative qualities hereinabove referred to and shall, at the same time, be inexpensive and easily Application filed October 24, 1930. Serial No. 491,069.

ZOl products in by-product coking plants,

suspended in an organic emulsifier in solutlOIl. The still residue contains a large percentage of para coumarone in admixture with other resins and hydrocarbon oils and 1 it is the film-producing agent of the composition. The emulsifier is dissolved in water and-the solutlon which serves as a carrier for the residue, holds the latter in suspension in finely divided form and thereby adapts it for ready application to the coal. A still residue used with satisfactory results consists of the tailings or residue above 180 degrees centigrade obtained in refining benzol.

The emulsifier must be of a nature to not deteriorate the burning qualities of the coal, or, if possible, to enhance the same. A colloidal emulsifier, rosin size in particular, has been found to be well suited for the purpose. The rosin size is soapy and goes readily into solution and its resinous character causes it to harden upon exposure, whereby drying of the film on the coal is expedited.

If necessary, the use of an emulsifier may be dispensed within case the water alone acts as a carrier for the residue and the latter is held in suspensionby agitation.

In preparing the composition, the following proportions of its ingredients have been found to be productive of good resuls:

Still residue 3 gallons Rosin size -n '3 pounds {nixed withsufficient water to make 50 galone.

The film applied to the coal by the use of the mixture is in appearance similar to a thin coating of lacquer and imparts to the coal the bright lustre of anthracite. The film, therefore, renders the coal easily distinguishable from other coals of similar kind,

said to perform the function of a trademark; Another advantage of the preservation method, as stated hereinbefore, resides in an .and in addition to its other qualities, may be increase of the heating value of the filmed coal by reason of the fact that the preservative itself has a heating value of upwards of 18,000' B. t. u.

The film coating ignites readily and burns with a brillant hot flame. At the same time, it tends to retain the coal gases until the surface temperature is raised to a point where eflicient combustion is insured.

By virtue of the fact that. the principal ingredient of the composition is a residue obtained in the operation of a by-product coking plant, which residue is of commercial value,

and in View of the further fact that the material treated in the coking plant is the same as that to which the composition is applied, it will be apparent that coating the coal with the composition, does in no way, alter its characteristic properties or interferes with its uses for any purpose for which it is adapted in its original state.

It follows that the coated article is one which has a film composed of a substance which is of a nature identical or similar to that of the article itself, or, in the present instance, that the coal has a film composed of a coal product. This is a valuable and distinctive feature of the invention.

In brief, coal filmed by the above described method, is cleaner, of better appearance and of higher quality and is more economical in consumption than the same coal in its natural state.

It is to be understood that While the ingredients of the composition hereinabove described specifically and in the given proportions, are at present preferred by reason of the good results obtained in their use, variations in both may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A composition of matter, for filming coal, comprising residue from the refining of benzol, rosin sizeand water in substantially the following proportionsresidue 3 gallons and rosin size 3 pounds, mixed with sufficient water to make 50 gallons.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

KENNETH. B. STUART. 

